Powerful "Grid" Software Available on IBM eServer

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ARMONK N.Y.
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12 Nov 2001:
Extending its leadership in Grid computing systems, IBM today announced the availability of the latest version of the Globus Toolkit for IBM eServer systems. Often called the next step in the evolution of the Internet, Grids allow users to share supercomputing power, data and applications as easily as information is sent over the Web.

The announcement is an important component of IBM's plans to Grid-enable key IBM systems and technologies, allowing them to be plugged into these growing worldwide networks quickly and easily.

Available across a range of IBM eServer systems running AIX (R) and Linux, the Globus Toolkit is the middleware that joins large numbers of disparate servers into huge mega-computers. Using this software, application developers create computer Grids and Grid-based applications. Availability of the Toolkit on AIX means Grid builders can take advantage of the operating system's advanced scalability and high-availability features.

"Working closely with Globus, IBM is committed to developing Grid Computing networks by leveraging our expertise in open standards, self managing systems, and scalable servers and operating systems," said Irving Wladawsky-Berger, senior vice president of technology and strategy, IBM. "The Globus Toolkit, which enables developers to build the world's largest Computer Grids, is a perfect complement to IBM eServer."

The Globus Toolkit provides a comprehensive set of software and services for programmers and administrators who wish to build and deploy Grid applications and services. The package includes software for security, information infrastructure, resource management, data management, communication, fault detection and portability. The Globus Toolkit and its protocols are now in use in more than 30 multi-million dollar scientific projects around the world. Its large user community and open architecture, open source structure and philosophy make Globus a natural partner for IBM.

"Globus and IBM share a commitment to Grid Computing that was demonstrated when we were selected to collaborate on the massive U.K. Grid earlier this year," said Ian Foster, Globus project lead and senior scientist of Argonne National Laboratory, and professor of computer science at the University of Chicago. "Making the new version of the Globus Tooklit available on AIX provides application developers with powerful software for building computer Grids."

IBM will distribute free CDs containing the Globus Toolkit Version 1.1.4 at the Supercomputing 2001 conference in Denver, Colorado, November 10-16. During the conference, IBM and Globus will demonstrate two Grid applications. The first, a portfolio optimization application, illustrates the use of a Grid-based environment in helping individuals understand the risk/return trade offs associated with investing. The second, a data visualization application, allows the graphical representation of information, including financial, medical, and image data. Both applications are well-suited to Grid environments as they involve tapping into large amounts of computing resources from widely distributed locations.

IBM Grid ExpertiseGrids create vast pools of resources by connecting computers from disparate locations using the Internet or high speed networks as well as open source protocols. To help customers build and manage complex Grids, IBM offers scalable supercomputing systems and middleware with IBM eLiza self-management technologies. Project eLiza, announced by IBM earlier this year, is a company-wide program to develop systems that respond to the requirements of their environment in order to optimize performance across a network, improve security and survive failures. IBM Global Services offers a complete range of IT skills needed to build, run and maintain Grids.